St. Louis Children’s Hospital

ST. LOUIS (June 2005) – The leading cause of death among children 14 and under is unintentional injuries, including car accidents, bicycle-related injuries and drowning, which claim the lives of more than 5,600 children annually – an average of 15 children per day, and resulted in 11.8 million medical visits among children ages 14 and under in 2000. However, research shows that up to 90 percent of unintentional injuries can be prevented.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Kids at Play community health initiative will bring this message, along with safety tips and other activities, to nearly 400 East St. Louis kids and their parents during Safety, Wellness and Injury Prevention Day at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center on Monday, June 27, 2005. St. Louis Children’s Hospital is partnering with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital, Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, the East St. Louis Fire Department and the East St. Louis Police Department to present the event.

“The City of St. Louis consistently ranks below other cities nationwide when it comes to the health and well-being of its children. Many children often do not receive even the most basic preventive care due to limited access to primary health care in their neighborhoods,” said Lee Fetter, president, St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “Our mission at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is to do what’s right for kids, which means going beyond the hospital walls into our communities to provide health and wellness programs for children. We are excited to partner with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis for this important and fun event.”

“The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation’s mission is to provide youth, adults and families with the resources to improve their quality of life and to enhance communities worldwide, with special attention directed to East St. Louis,” said Yvonne Sparks, executive director of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. “With our focus on health and education, St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Kids at Play initiative is a perfect fit with our goals, and we are pleased to welcome them here.”

Attendees of Safety, Wellness and Injury Prevention Day will experience Safety Street, an interactive, scale-sized cityscape with simulated situations that teach children important safety behaviors. The event also will offer education on seat belt, helmet and car seat safety. The Healthy Kids Express van, a pediatric mobile health unit, will be on hand for tours, and parents will be offered consent forms for future screenings. Attendees also will have the opportunity to win a variety of safety-related items, including a car seat, fire extinguishers and bike helmets, courtesy of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In addition, the East St. Louis Fire Department and the East St. Louis Police Department will be honored for the important role they play in keeping the community safe.

The Healthy Kids at Play initiative is a community health and development initiative that provides children access to health care resources and education about healthy behaviors as well as safe play spaces. The initiative is designed to assist children living in neighborhoods throughout the St. Louis Metropolitan area where there are significant opportunities for child health improvements.

St. Louis Children’s Hospital has provided specialized care for children for more than 125 years. The hospital is affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, ranked the number three medical school in the country by U.S. News & World Report. In 2005, Child magazine ranked St. Louis Children's Hospital among the 10 best children's hospitals in America, and third in emergency medicine. St. Louis Children’s Hospital is a member of BJC HealthCare.

The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide youth, adults and families with the resources to improve their quality of life and to enhance communities worldwide, with special attention directed to East St. Louis, Illinois. For additional information about the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, please visit their Web site or call the Center at 618.274.KIDS.